In a stunning political comeback, Democrat Jay Jones has clinched the Virginia attorney general race, according to NBC News projections, despite a scandal that nearly derailed his campaign in its final weeks. Jones’s victory over Republican incumbent Jason Miyares marks a significant shift in the state’s leadership, but it’s the controversial text messages from his past that have everyone talking. And this is the part most people miss: how a candidate survived such a scandal in an era of heightened scrutiny over political rhetoric and violence.
The race, typically a low-key affair, was thrust into the national spotlight after a series of violent text messages Jones sent in 2022 resurfaced last month. In these messages, Jones shockingly suggested that then-Virginia House Speaker Todd Gilbert, a Republican, deserved “bullets to the head.” Specifically, Jones wrote, “Three people, two bullets. Gilbert, Hitler, and Pol Pot. Gilbert gets two bullets to the head.” The texts, first reported by the National Review and later amplified by the Republican Attorneys General Association, sparked bipartisan outrage. Jones, a former state lawmaker, was not in office at the time but issued a public apology, stating, “Reading back those words made me sick to my stomach. I am embarrassed, ashamed, and sorry.”
But here’s where it gets controversial: while Republicans called for Jones to drop out, Democrats largely condemned the texts without demanding he end his campaign. This double standard has left many questioning the consistency of political accountability. Meanwhile, the scandal unfolded against a backdrop of national concern over political violence, following the assassinations of conservative activist Charlie Kirk and Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman, a Democrat. The NBC News Exit Poll revealed that 45% of Virginia voters believed the texts disqualified Jones for the job—yet he still won.
Miyares, in his concession speech, wished Jones “the best in this new job,” though he acknowledged the difficulty his supporters might feel. “We need an attorney general who will focus every day on keeping us safe,” Miyares said, subtly highlighting the trust Jones will need to rebuild. Jones, in his victory speech, thanked Miyares for his service and expressed a willingness to work together.
The fallout from the texts also spilled into the governor’s race, with Republican candidate Winsome Earle-Sears pressuring Democratic candidate Abigail Spanberger to distance herself further from Jones. Spanberger, who won her race comfortably, had previously stated she “spoke frankly with Jay about [her] disgust” but stopped short of withdrawing her endorsement. “It’s up to voters to make a choice based on this information,” she said during a debate. Her decisive victory likely boosted Jones’s chances, as exit polls showed 9% of Spanberger voters backed Miyares.
Jones, 36, campaigned heavily on the idea that Miyares would not stand up to former President Donald Trump, who endorsed Miyares but not Earle-Sears. “I was held accountable,” Jones said during a debate. “But what we have here in Virginia right now is an attorney general who won’t hold the president accountable.” Exit polls revealed that 91% of the 49% of Virginia voters who strongly disapproved of Trump’s presidency voted for Jones.
But here’s the bigger question: Does Jones’s victory signal a shift in how voters weigh personal scandals against political stances? With political rhetoric under intense scrutiny, should candidates be given second chances for past mistakes? Or does this set a dangerous precedent for tolerating extreme language? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—this is a debate that’s far from over.
